Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn says he is working on a new ordinance to protect all animals. Pictures and video sent to WDSU showed dozens of iguanas stuffed inside of a cage to be given out as prizes.

“The best idea is to replace them with toys and stuffed animals,” Humane Society director Jeff Dorson said. “You don’t need live animals to draw a crowd."

After getting word that this was going on Dorson went to the Esplanade Mall on Sunday to see what was going on.

“How is this lawful,” Dorson said. “Why is this being allowed? Don’t people understand that all animals every shape, size and color have feelings and can experience the same level of pain that you and I can?”

The carnival was put on by Mitchell Brothers Amusements out of Slidell.

WDSU spoke with their owner, Gus Mitchell by phone.

“I mean pet stores sell them,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said they will monitor their vendors more closely.

“After obviously bringing this to our attention it is something we should definitely look into,” Mitchell said. “We don’t want to offend anyone, we sure do not want to upset anyone.”

Dorson hopes carnival vendors and customers will think twice before bringing home a live animal as a prize.

“Usually when there is profit involved at the expense of an animal the animal will lose each and every time,” Dorson said.

The Esplanade Mall said they still plan to work with the company but have banned them from using all live animals as prizes.